Sunday, September 17, 2006

6 Month Pediatrician Report

As a reminder, Chase was born in the 25th percentile, but then slipped down to the 2nd percentile (weight, height, head circ.) just before we arrived in Switzerland.

Our pediatrician was pleased to find the littlest "Tallbritton" is now in the 92nd percentile for height (tall? shocker!) and the 75th percentile for weight (and head circ).

I will miss our pediatrician (as we are most likely leaving Zurich in October). He is kind, sweet and gentle. He also has a way of making me worry less about things in general.

Our conversations go like this:

"I'm a little worried about Chase. She grunts at things. Her whole body gets rigid, like it's taking every last piece of her being to focus on an object, but she can't tell me what it is she needs or wants." I say.

"Do her eyes roll back in her head and does she start to convulse?" He asks.

"No," I say.

"Then you have nothing to worry about," he says.

- or -

"My daughter has been covered in a rash for four days." I say, panicked.

"Does she have a fever? Do the red spots have a core that is filled with liquid? Is she having trouble eating? Is she acting differently?" He asks.

"No," I say.

"Then you have nothing to worry about. Call me back if it gets worse, or if anything changes. Children around 6 months break out into rashes. It should go away in a couple days."

So I have decided his approach is a good way to evaluate things that come up in life. As a natural worrier, I have many opportunities each day.

Here's an example: First, I must think of something that makes me worry (hmmm, okay, a fifth international move in 8 years). Second, I must think of things that could make it harder/worse (i.e., having triplets due the same day). Third, I can then be happy that the harder/worse thing isn't happening (Phew! It is so much easier to move with one baby, rather than four). Fourth, feel relieved and get a good night sleep.

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